Barrow has seen the largest rise in positive cases of coronavirus in the county yet again.

A further 54 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Cumbria, the latest figures show.

Barrow has shown the biggest rise in cases with 18, followed by South Lakeland with 11.

All areas of Cumbria have seen an increase in the number of people testing positive - taking the total number of cases to 3,678 since the start of the pandemic.

Two deaths from the virus were also reported at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust - which includes the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Furness General Hospital in Barrow.

One happened on October 1 and the second patient passed away the following day on October 2.

These new figures come after new advice from authorities in Cumbria advised everyone in the county to keep gatherings of up to six people to a maximum of two households.

This is an extension of the recommendations brought in a fortnight ago for Barrow, given the rising case numbers across the county.

Barrow remains an 'area of concern' nationally for coronavirus.

Furness MP Simon Fell warned that the area could be placed under local lockdown within a week or two if cases continue to spiral.

Announcing a county-wide adoption of advice first given to Barrow residents, Cumbria's director of public health Colin Cox explained on Thursday: "The number of Covid-19 cases in the county has doubled in a week and hospitalisations are increasing.

"But we are not yet in the position of other areas in the north west and we have a small window of opportunity to act to slow the spread, protect our communities and local economy, and avoid becoming the next area in local lockdown.

“We know that limiting contact between households can reduce transmission.

"The ‘two-households’ advice we’re issuing today doesn’t have the force of law behind it, but we’re calling on everyone living in Cumbria to take it seriously and act accordingly.

"This is about local people taking responsible, proportionate, action to protect themselves, their families and their communities from this disease."

Mr Cox added that Covid-19 is spreading throughout the county with 'increasing speed', following the same pattern from when the first wave of the virus arrived.

"Following the ‘two-households’ advice, alongside hand washing, face coverings and social distancing, can make a difference, but we need everyone to take heed and act," he said in a rallying call to residents.